Senior citizens

The Tamaqua Seniors met Jan. 26 at the Tamaqua Community Center with 82 members in attendance. Two new members, Bob and Janet Haffarty, were welcomed.Vice President Nancy Gerber conducted the business session and presented her report. Rose Vallee provided the invocation, entitled "This Day Is Just Too Perfect." Secretary Joan Anne Garber also presented a report. Jayne Myers, Eleanor Roberts and George Fisher were added to the sick list.December and January birthday celebrants were honored with cake and ice cream.The group meets every Thursday, at 1 p.m., at the community center. Anyone 55 or older is welcome to join. The center is handicap accessible.Growth groupsBethany Evangelical Congregational Church is offering the community the opportunity to make an impact through a series of small, Bible based "Growth Groups." There will be a total of 13 different groups, each meeting one night each week, beginning in February. Some of the sessions require a small fee for materials.While some of the series are geared for specific age groups or gender, there are also sessions open to everyone.Sessions based on "The Story" will be held Wednesdays, at 6:30 p.m. "The Story" is a series of selected Bible verses, organized chronologically in novel form. Bible characters and events are covered from Genesis to Revelation. The concept originated at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, by Senior Minister Randy Frazee and Minister of Preaching Max Lucado.Also based on a book will be the "Just Walk Across the Room" sessions, based on the book written by Pastor Bill Hybels. It is designed to help participants follow Jesus' model of personal evangelism by "living in 3D, developing friendships, discovering stories and discerning appropriate ways to leave your comfort zone." These sessions begin Feb. 12 and will be held every other Sunday, for nine weeks. Participants will meet at 6:30 p.m. in Bethany's conference room.For more information, or to register, visit

www.bethanyec.org and click on the "growth groups" tab.WP softballRegistration for West Penn Girls Softball will be held Feb. 4 and Feb. 11, 9 a.m. to noon, at the West Penn Township Municipal Building. The league is open to girls between the ages of 4 and 14.First time players must provide their birth certificates.For more information, call Scot at (570) 386-2818.St. Peter's UnionThe Rev. Cheryl Moore will officiate at the 9 a.m. worship service Sunday in St. Peter's Union Church, Mantzville. The service will include Holy Communion and be followed by a breakfast fundraiser. Sunday school classes will meet at 10:15 a.m.Also on Sunday, the Confirmation class will meet at 11:30 a.m.; Daisies and Brownies will meet at 6:30 p.m.Activities for next week will include: Wednesday, retirees meeting at 10 a.m.; Thursday, prayer group meets at 5 p.m., worship and music committee meets at 6 p.m. and Girl Scouts meet at 6:30 p.m.The choirs rehearse on Thursdays. Next week's schedule will include; junior choir meets at 7 p.m., senior choir rehearses at 7:30 p.m.